WORLD FEDERATION OF THE DEAF | 2011 – 2014 REPORT Human Rights Through Sign Languages
Table of Contents
WFD was established in Rome, Italy in 1951, and is an international non-governmental organisation with membership comprising 134 Ordinary Members in addition to Individual Members, Associate Members and International Members. The WFD also has eight (8) Regional Secretariats and one (1) Regional Cooperating About WFD 3 Member. WFD's office is located in Helsinki, Finland. Message From The President 5
WFD Board 7 LOCATION
Physical: PO Box: WFD Secretariat 11 Light House, P.O. Box 65 Ilkantie 4 FIN-00401 Current Members of WFD 12 Helsinki, Finland Helsinki, Finland
WFD Global Impact 19 ENQUIRIES WFD Secretariat Achieving Objectives 20 Tel: +358 9 580 3573
WFD Expert Groups 35
WFD Regional Secretariats 40 EMAIL ADDRESSES Info(at)wfdeaf.org WFD Finances 47 For general information and enquiries Future Directions 54 Memberships(at)wfdeaf.org For people wanting to join as a member info(at)wfdeaf.org For people ordering t-shirts and other WFD merchandise
WFD acknowledges and thanks all our members, partners, supporters and staff featured in the photos in this report with special thanks to Mr Braam Jordaan for designing the WFD Board meeting advertisements. 2 ABOUT THE WORLD FEDERATION OF THE DEAF
VISION Deaf people have full human rights in an equal world where they and their sign languages are recognised and included as part of human diversity.
MISSION The WFD promotes and advances the human rights of deaf people through cooperation with the United Nations and its agencies, national organisations of deaf people, and other partners.
The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) has consultative status within the United Nations (UN) system. In this role, the WFD works closely with the UN and its various agencies in promoting the human rights of deaf people in accordance with the principles and objectives of the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other general acts and recommendations of the UN and its specialised agencies, e.g. the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). WFD also has participatory status within the Council of Europe (COE) and is a member of the International Disability Alliance (IDA).
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|ABOUT THE WORLD FEDERATION OF THE DEAF
ACTIVITIES WFD pursues its objectives by guiding and supporting the activities of its members, supporting the establishment of new organisations when necessary:
a) developing initiatives and proposals in order to improve the status of deaf people and making statements on issues concerning deaf people; b) promoting the status of Sign Language on the basis of the constitutions in the respective countries of its members; c) promoting cultural activities of deaf people and accessibility to cultural services in general; d) providing information and resources; e) increasing equal opportunities for full AIMS participation for deaf people in society; In accordance with the principles and f) promoting the establishment and objectives of the United Nations (UN) Charter, expansion of Sign Language interpreting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights services in all countries; including the Convention on the Rights of g) implementing initiatives so that deaf Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and other people have the necessary equipment to general acts and recommendations of the UN control their lives by making use of modern and its specialised agencies, WFD shall technology; develop its activities with the goal of h) supporting the human rights of deaf equalisation of opportunities and full people; participation in society by deaf individuals in i) participating on an international level in every country. cooperation with other organisations of deaf, hard of hearing and other disabled Accordingly, the WFD works towards the people and authorities; global achievement of human rights for all j) dissemination of scientific and legal deaf people. These aims include: materials on the current needs of deaf • To advocate for full access to society, people in publications and other media; including education in sign language, by k) distribution of and ensuring the availability which deaf people can enjoy the same of UN documents to organisations and experts interested in deafness; equality and human rights of that of all l) administering development cooperation other peoples, activities; and • To promote the establishment of local, m) taking other action which serves the national and regional organisations of objectives of the WFD and the deaf people and to guide and support improvement of the status of deaf people activities of all its members, worldwide. • To ensure that deaf people in every country have the right to promote and preserve their own sign languages and receive support for the advancement of their cultural and linguistic identities.
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
2011 • XVI World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf hosted by the Deaf Federation of South Africa, Durban, South Africa with 2,100 delegates attending from 125 countries. • WFD Regional Secretariat of the Western and Central Africa was established in July 2011. • WFD celebrated its 60th birthday in 2011 as one of the oldest organisations of persons with disabilities. • Organisational Team Building: WFD Board, WFDYS Board and WFD Staff Members received two days training from the previous WFD President Markku Jokinen and developed a list of activities and key performance indicators in line with the four year action plan.
2012 • WFD became the official employer of WFD staff members. • WFD signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Korean Federation Dear Members, for the Protection of the Disabled (KFPD). • WFD and European Union of the Deaf (EUD) As President of the World Federation of the renewed their cooperation agreement. Deaf, it gives me great pleasure to present • WFD Honorary President Markku Jokinen this report covering the period 2011 - 2014; in received his honorary doctorate from particular, to highlight some of the many Gallaudet University. This accomplishment achievements effected in line with the four recognises his dedication to and leadership goals from the WFD Action Plan 2011-2015: of the deaf community and the prominent role he played in the CRPD Ad Hoc 1. International Human Rights Advocacy negotiations. 2. Human Rights Training Activities 3. Expanding Information Distribution and 2013 External Communications • WFD signed a Memorandum of 4. Strengthening the WFD Understanding with the International Deaf Emergency (IDE), International Committee During the last four years, the WFD has of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) and the experienced a number of highlights. Of International Federation of Hard of Hearing particular note was the United Nations (IFHOH). Human Rights Award presented to WFD • WFD received project funding to implement Honorary President Dr Liisa Kauppinen and Human Rights Training in Azerbaijan and El the organising of the 2nd International Salvador and Peru and employed a Human Conference of the WFD - hosted by the Deaf Rights Officer. Society of New South Wales in my home city • 2nd International Conference of the World of Sydney, Australia. Other projects and Federation of the Deaf in Sydney, Australia activities that I would like to include: was organised with 660 delegates from 67 countries. 5 43
|MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Phillipa Sandholm, Eeva Tupi, Laura Pajunen, Heidi-Maria Helenius, Torun Eklund, Peggy Prosser and Nafisah Rantasalmi, and especially Meri Hyrske-Fischer who manages, mentors and leads the team – MERCI!
Lastly, I gratefully acknowledge and recognise all the Board Members for their contribution to the governance and oversight of the WFD throughout the period and all the members of the WFD Expert Groups for their valuable input arising from their specialist knowledge.
On a final note, I wish to acknowledge the support from our Board Members’ country National Associations of the Deaf for their ongoing support in covering Board Member’s travel expenses to attend Board meetings over the four-year period.
• WFD Honorary President Dr Liisa Kauppinen 1. Deaf Australia and Australian was awarded the United Nations Human Federation of the Deaf Societies Rights Award in December 2013. 2. Deaf Federation of South Africa 2014 3. Finnish Association of the Deaf • Ms Hend Al-Showaier, a deaf woman from 4. Norwegian Association of the Deaf Saudi-Arabia, was appointed as a Regional 5. National Association of the Deaf (USA) Director for the Interim Regional Secretariat 6. British Deaf Association for the Arab Region. 7. All-Russian Society of the Deaf • WFD obtained funding support of 50,000€ 8. Mexican Federation of the Deaf from the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (a 9. Nepal Deaf Federation total of 200,000€ in 2011-2014) which was 10. Bosnia and Herzegovina Association of directly included in the Finnish government the Deaf and Hard of Hearing budget in the first phase of budget 11. Turkish National Federation of the Deaf legislation. • The Human Rights Group Chair, Dr Joseph The WFD Board and Secretariat look forward Murray and Human Rights Officer Eeva Tupi to continuing to work tirelessly during the next conducted a preparatory mission to Tunisia, period (2016 – 2019) on behalf of the Deaf funded by the Finnish Foreign Ministry, as Community to facilitate the realisation of deaf part of a planning project for the Maghreb individual’s human rights worldwide. With your Region. support, as an organisation that is truly • WFD created the new position of representative of our members, we can Development Officer with a focus on ensure that we continue to make great strides fundraising with the aim of ensuring the towards equality for deaf people. ongoing sustainability of the WFD. I hope you enjoy reading this report! I would like to invite you to read this report that captures the most important moments of this term 2011-2014. None of the achievements would have been realised without the support of our members, partners, donors and volunteers. The WFD Board would especially like to acknowledge our WFD Mr Colin Allen Secretariat Team members – current and past WFD President - and thank them for their positive contributions, dedication and commitment: 6 WFD BOARD JULY 2011 – DECEMBER 2014
The new1 WFD Board was elected at the XVIII General Assembly in Durban, South Africa, in July 2011, with seven (7) newly elected Board Members joining four (4) existing members. Mr Colin Allen from Australia was elected President and Dr Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen from South Africa was confirmed as the Vice-President. Other Board Members come from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Mexico, Nepal, Norway, Russia, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States of America.
WFD Organisational Structure
18 Youth 134 Ordinary Ordinary Members Members
8 Expert Groups
WFD Youth Section WFD Board 4 Ad Hoc Groups
8 WFD Regional Secretariats
WFD Secretariat
Team Leader
Human Rights Officer Development Officer Administrative Secretary
WFD Board Internal Structure
WFD Legal Commission WFD Board WASLI/WFD Natural Disaster
WFD Human Rights WFD Finance Committee Working Group WASLI/WFD International Sign & Process for Hiring WFD Media Working WFD Fundraising Group Group WASLI/WFD WFD Expert Coordination WFD Congress Working International Sign Group Group Fee Guidelines
Membership Application WFD President & WFD WFD Secretariat Review Committee Staff Team
1 The previous WFD Board (July 2007-July 2011): Mr Markku Jokinen (President), Mr Feliciano Sola Limia (Vice-President), Mr Colin Allen, Ms Hanne Berge Kvitvær, Mr Tomas Hedberg, Dr Joseph Murray, Mr Valery Rukhledev, Mr Johan Wesemann, Mr Bikash Dangol, Ms Deborah Oyuu Iyute, and Dr Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen. 7 12
|WFD BOARD JULY 2011 – DECEMBER 2014
Each Board Member has been involved with at least one internal working group dealing with specific topics and items of current interest. Working groups have met prior to each Board meeting in order to prepare matters of relevance to their scope of work. The WFD Secretariat assists with the coordination and preparation of working group issues in the interim.
INTERNAL WFD WORKING GROUPS
WFD LEGAL COMMISSION undertakes situational analyses for Ordinary The purpose of the Legal Commission is to Members that confront challenging situations coordinate and monitor all legal policies with in their countries. regard to the WFD Statutes and all other legal documents pertaining to the Internal Rules, WFD HUMAN RIGHTS WORKING GROUP Codes of Conduct and the WFD Board The Human Rights Working Group coordinates members’ handbook, and any other legal and monitors activities focused on the aspects of its work. realisation of the WFD Action Plan 2011-2015 goals that relate to International Human Rights WFD FINANCE COMMITTEE Advocacy and Human Rights Training The Finance Committee supports the Board Activities (goals 1 and 2). and the Secretariat in the administration of the WFD finances and human resources. WFD MEDIA WORKING GROUP The Media Working Group coordinates and WFD FUNDRAISING WORKING GROUP monitors all media policies and requests with The Fundraising Working Group oversees and regard to WFD Events, Conferences and advises the WFD Board and the WFD Congresses to ensure effective and efficient Secretariat on fundraising related issues. co-operation between the WFD and media agencies. WFD EXPERT COORDINATION GROUP The WFD Expert Coordination Group facilitates WFD CONGRESS WORKING GROUP/WFD the planning and establishing of a new WFD CONFERENCE LIAISON OFFICER Expert Structure. The Group Coordinator also The WFD Congress Working Group and WFD assists the Secretariat in coordinating requests Conference Liaison officer has been vital in for assistance from WFD members. ensuring compliance with the WFD's policies and standards in all World Congress and WFD MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE Conference planning and preparations, and (MARC) ensuring that all enquiries and requests from The MARC concentrates on verifying new delegates are responded to appropriately by applications for membership from both the event organiser. Ordinary Members and Associate Members; advises the WFD Board on the establishment of new WFD Regional Secretariats and
8 |WFD BOARD JULY 2011 – DECEMBER 2014
WFD BOARD
Mr Colin Allen Dr Wilma President, Newhoudt-Druchen Australia Vice-President, South-Africa
Ms Kaisa Alanne Mr Hasan Dikyuva Ms Hanne Berge Mr Ramesh Lal Board Member, Board Member, Kvitvaer Shrestha Finland Turkey Board Member, Board Member, Norway Nepal
Mr Dmitry Rebrov Dr Joseph Murray Dr Terry Riley, OBE Board Member, Board Member, Board Member, Russian USA United Kingdom Federation
Mr José Gaspar Mr Nebjosa Vavra Ramos Sanabria Board Member, Board Member, Bosnia and Mexico Herzegovina
99 |WFD BOARD JULY 2011 – DECEMBER 2014
Since January 2011, the WFD Board has met 10 times; the 96th (in Costa Rica) and the 97th (In South Africa) meetings were convened with the Board whose mandate ended at the XVIII General Assembly in July 2011. The current Board has met 8 times (July 2011-December 2014): in South Africa, Norway, USA, Switzerland, Reunion, Australia, Russia and China. The following table highlights the attendance by Board Members at meetings between July 2011 and December 2014:
99th Norway 99th 105th China 105th Switzerland Federation 98th South South 98th
USA 100th Australia Reunion Russian Russian 102nd 102nd TOTAL Africa 103rd 103rd 104th 104th 101st 101st
Mr Colin Allen Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8/8 Dr Wilma Newhoudt- Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes 7/8 Druchen Ms Kaisa Alanne Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8/8 Mr Hasan Dikyuva Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8/8
Ms Hanne Berge Kvitvaer Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes 7/8
Mr Ramesh Lal Shrestha Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No 5/8
Dr Joseph Murray Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8/8 Mr Dmitry Rebrov Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No 6/8 Dr Terry Riley, OBE Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8/8 Mr Jose Gaspar Ramos Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No 4/8 Sanabria Mr Nebjosa Vavra Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No 5/8 11/11 11/11 11/11 10/11 7/11 9/11 8/11 7/11
10 WFD SECRETARIAT
As a result of the WFD neither being registered as an employer nor having the necessary structure to assume responsibility WFD SECRETARIAT TEAM for the human resources function, the Finnish Association of the Deaf (FAD) auspiced and TEAM LEADER: employed WFD Secretariat members until Ms Meri Hyrske-Fischer (Jan 2012-Sep 2012; Feb December 2011. The WFD was registered by 2014 – current) the Finnish Patents and Registration Office in Ms Torun Eklund (Oct 2012 – Jan 2014) December 2008 and were provided with a
business code in July 2009: essential steps to ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY: enhancing the independence of the Ms Phillipa Sandholm (2001 -current) Secretariat which were critical when the last
step, becoming an employer, was realised LIAISON OFFICER: effective January 2012. Ms Peggy Prosser (June - Dec, 2013)
Ms Heidi-Maria Helenius (Feb 2010 – Sept 2012) Upon the WFD Secretariat becoming an
employer, a minor restructure took place DEVELOPMENT OFFICER: with a re-distribution of work duties and the Ms Nafisah Rantasalmi (Aug 2014 - current) post of the Team Leader being established. Ms Meri Hyrske-Fischer (May 2011-Dec 2011) The WFD would like to extend its deep Ms Laura Pajunen (until May 2011) appreciation to the staff of the Finnish
Association of the Deaf for assisting the WFD HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER: Secretariat during the transition period and Ms Eeva Tupi (Mar 2013 - current) the FAD Board for their continuous support.
The WFD has also had the privilege to work with The total number of staff members during the the following young talented people who have reporting period has ranged between two held internship positions at the WFD during the and four personnel; the current number period under review. being four (4) with a Team Leader,
Administrative Secretary, Development WFD Interns Officer and Human Rights Officer. Ms Hyo-Min Kim South Korea (Jan – Mar 2014) Ms Noppawan Thamsiriboon Thailand (Jan – Mar 2013) Ms Helga McGilp Scotland (Sep – Oct, 2012) Ms Noel King USA (May – July, 2011)
11 CURRENT MEMBERS OF WFD
ORDINARY MEMBERS Between 2011 – 2014, two new national deaf associations (Qatar and Mauritania) joined the WFD. Currently, the WFD has 134 Ordinary Members, namely national deaf associations with legal status in their country and recognition from the government to represent the deaf community. Not all countries have national deaf associations established as yet.
12 |CURRENT MEMBERS OF WFD
ARAB REGION (10)
1. National Federation of the Deaf of Algeria 2. Kuwait Club for the Deaf 3. Libyan General Federation of Deaf Societies 4. Mauritanian Association for Deaf People Promotion 5. Moroccan Association of the Deaf 6. The Qatari Center of Social Cultural for the Deaf 7. Sudanese National Society for the Deaf EASTERN & SOUTH AFRICA (18) 8. Syrian Federation of Societies for the Welfare of the (18)REGION Deaf 1. Botswana National Association of the 9. Association of the Deaf of Tunisia Deaf 10. Association of the Deaf Mutes of Lebanon 2. National Association of the Deaf of Burundi 3. National Deaf Association of Eritrea 4. Ethiopian National Association of the Deaf WESTERN & CENTRAL AFRICA (17) 5. Kenya National Association of the Deaf 6. National Association of the Deaf 1.()REGIONNational Association of the Deaf of Benin Lesotho 2. National Association of the Hearing Impaired of Burkina 7. Federation of the Deaf in Madagascar Faso 8. Malawi National Association of the 3. National Association of the Deaf Côte d’Ivoire Deaf 4. National Association of the Deaf of Congo (Democratic 9. Association of the Deaf in Mozambique Republic of Congo) 10. Namibian National Association of the 5. Gambia Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Deaf 6. Ghana National Association of the Deaf 11. Rwanda National Association of the 7. Guinean Association of the Deaf Deaf 8. Liberia National Association of the Deaf 12. Somali National Association of the Deaf 9. Association of the Deaf of Niger 13. Deaf Federation of South Africa 10. Nigeria National Association of the Deaf 14. Swaziland National Association of the 11. National Association of the Deaf of Cameroon Deaf 12. Chadian National Association of the Hearing Impaired 15. Tanzania Association of the Deaf 13. National Association of the the Deaf & Hearing Impaired 16. Uganda National Association of the of Congo (Republic of Congo) Deaf 14. Mali Association of the Deaf 17. Zimbabwe National Association of the 15. National Association of the Deaf of Senegal Deaf 16. Sierra Leone Association of the Deaf 18. Zambia National Association of the 17. Association des Sourds du Togo Deaf 13 |CURRENT MEMBERS OF WFD
EUROPE (36)
1. Albanian National Association of the Deaf 2. Austrian Association of the Deaf 3. British Deaf Association 4. Belgian Federation of Flemish Deaf Organisations & Federation of the French Deaf Organisation 5. Association of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Bosnia and Herzegovina 6. Union of the Deaf in Bulgaria 7. Croatian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 8. Cyprus Deaf Federation 9. Union of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the Czech Republic 10. Danish Deaf Association 11. Estonian Association of the Deaf 12. Finnish Association of the Deaf (FAD) 13. National Federation of the Deaf of France 14. German Association of the Deaf 15. Hellenic Federation of the Deaf (Greece) 16. Hungarian National Association of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing 17. Icelandic Association of the Deaf 18. Irish Deaf Society 19. The Association of the Deaf in Israel 20. Italian Association of the Deaf 21. Latvian Association of the Deaf 22. Lithuanian Deaf Association 23. Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of Macedonia 24. Deaf People Association (Malta) 25. Norwegian Association of the Deaf 26. Polish Association of the Deaf 27. Portuguese Federation Associations of the Deaf 28. National Association of the Deaf of Romania 29. Serbian & Montenegro Association of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing 30. Slovak Association of the Deaf 31. The Association of the Deaf and Hearing Impaired of Slovenia 32. Spanish National Association of the Deaf 33. Swedish National Association of the Deaf 34. Swiss Federation of the Deaf 35. National Association of the Deaf of the Netherlands 36. Turkish National Federation of the Deaf 14 |CURRENT MEMBERS OF WFD
EASTERN EUROPE & MIDDLE ASIA (10)
1. All-Russian Society of the Deaf 2. Azerbaijan Deaf Public Union 3. Byelorussian Society of the Deaf 4. Kazakhstan Society of the Deaf 5. Armenian Deaf Society 6. Union of the Deaf of Georgia 7. Association of the Deaf of Republic Moldova 8. Ukrainian Society of the Deaf 9. Uzbek Society of the Deaf 10. Tajik Society of the Deaf
ASIA (18)
1. Afghanistan National Association of the Deaf 2. Bangladesh National Federation of the Deaf 3. China Association of the Deaf 4. Hong Kong Association of the Deaf 5. All India Federation of the Deaf 6. Indonesian Association for the Welfare of the Deaf 7. Iranian National Center of the Deaf 8. Japanese Federation of the Deaf 9. Korea Association of the Deaf 10. Macau Deaf Association 11. Malaysian Federation of the Deaf 12. Mongolian National Association of the Deaf 13. Nepal Deaf Federation 14. Pakistan Association of the Deaf 15. Philippine Federation of the Deaf, Inc 16. The Singapore Association for the Deaf 17. Sri Lanka Central Federation of the Deaf 18. National Association of the Deaf in Thailand
15 |CURRENT MEMBERS OF WFD
CANADA OCEANIA § Canadian Association of 1. Deaf Australia the Deaf 2. Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand 3. Fiji Association of the Deaf UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• National Association of the Deaf USA
MEXICO, CENTRAL AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN (10)
1. National Association of the Deaf of Costa Rica 2. National Association of the Deaf of Cuba 3. National Association of the Deaf of Dominican Republic 4. Mexican Federation of the Deaf 5. National Association of the Deaf of Panamá 6. Association of the Deaf of El Salvador 7. Association of the Deaf of Guatemala 8. National Association of the Deaf of Honduras 9. National Association of the Deaf of Nicaragua 10. Belize National Association of the Deaf
SOUTH AMERICA (10)
1. Confederation of the Deaf Mutes of Argentina 2. National Federation of Education and Integration of Deaf People of Brazil 3. Association of the Deaf of Chile 4. National Federation of the Deaf of Colombia 5. National Federation of the Deaf of Ecuador 6. Association of the Deaf of Peru 7. Association of the Deaf of Uruguay 8. Confederation of the Deaf of Venezuela 9. Bolivian Federation of the Deaf 10. Centrral of the Deaf of Paraguay
16 |CURRENT MEMBERS OF WFD
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS The WFD currently has 22 Associate Members. Associate Membership can be granted to any national or regional organisation which does not meet the criteria to become an Ordinary Member, or cannot become an Ordinary Member because there already exists one in the country. In the period from 2011 – 2014, nine (9) new members joined the WFD, while four (4) resigned, due to financial difficulties. Moreover, the status of the association in Qatar was changed from Associate to Ordinary Membership. These are the current WFD Associate Members:
1. The Deaf Society of New South Wales Australia 2. H3 Network Media Alliance Canada 3. Cåstberggård High School Denmark 4. Center for Døve Denmark 5. Kuurojen Palvelusäätio Finland 6. Tyst Teater /Riksteatern Sweden 7. Deafway United Kingdom 8. Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf United States of America Democratic Republic of 9. Le Geste Congo 10. Zimbabwe Deaf Trust Zimbabwe 11. Bahrain Deaf Society Kingdom of Bahrain 12. The Hong Kong Society for the Deaf Hong Kong, ROC 13. Association of the Deaf Persons of the Reunion Island (France) Reunion Island 14. Gallaudet University Alumni United States of America Association 15. Deaf Association of Guyana Guyana 16. Association of People with Hearing Seychelles Impairment 17. ASDAA - Association for Serving the Egypt Hearing Impaired 18. Kosovar Association of the Deaf (KAD) Kosovo 19. The Learning Center for the Deaf Lebanon 20. Union Malienne des Femmes Sourds Republic of Mali (UMFS) 21. Palestinian Development Foundation Palestine of the Deaf 22. Palestinian Union of the Deaf Palestine 17
|CURRENT MEMBERS OF WFD
INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS It was decided at the XVIII General Assembly of the WFD in 2011 that a new membership category – International members – would be established. Organisations, having legal capacity, exclusively international objectives and readiness to promote the goals and objectives of the WFD, are eligible for this status. Discovering Deaf Worlds joined the WFD as an International Member in 2013 with CBM and IDE becoming members in 2015. Gallaudet University, the Office of the President and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf which were previously Associate Members became International Members in 2014 in line with the new membership category.
Currently the WFD has five (5) International Members: 1. CBM 2. Discovering Deaf Worlds (DDW) 3. Gallaudet University, Office of the President 4. International Deaf Emergency (IDE) 5. National Technical Institute for the Deaf
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS Since 2011, the WFD has slowly increased its Individual membership base: In 2011 the WFD had 98 paid individual members whereas the figure at the end of the year 2014 was 169. The absence of a Development Officer responsible for fundraising until August 2014 meant that until that time, there were insufficient resources to launch major membership campaigns and hence attract more income.
18 WFD GLOBAL IMPACT
WORKSHOPS 79 42 23 DELIVERED COUNTRIES PRESENTATIONS
HUMAN RIGHTS 21 TRAINING DELIVERED 136 WFD ATTENDANCE*
CRPD COMMITTEE 7 SESSIONS ATTENDED 3 HUMAN RIGHTS PROJECTS
*INCLUDES ATTENDANCE OF WFD BOARD, REGIONAL SECRETARIAT REPRESENTATIVES AND EXPERT GROUP MEMBERS AT CONGRESSES, CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, SOCIAL EVENTS, AND MEETINGS WITH STAKEHOLDERS.
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ACHIEVING OUR OBJECTIVES
GOAL 1: INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY
The WFD promotes human rights of deaf people by working in close cooperation with the United Nations and its human rights mechanisms
The WFD has continued to represent the involved in discussions with members of the global Deaf Community internationally and Committee about CRPD implementation at advocate for deaf people’s human rights in a the national level and observed interactive number of ways. The United Nations dialogues between their governments and Convention on the Rights of Persons with the Committee. By being regularly present in Disabilities (CRPD, 2006) has been a Geneva during the sessions, WFD has been significant tool for the WFD; not only have the able to support deaf representatives who are CRPD articles been highlighted in all WFD part of the DPO delegation in addition to support efforts to its national members but, in providing assistance via e-mail addition, the WFD has provided comments, correspondence and Skype video meetings. issued statements and actively participated in The WFD has also highlighted in its the work of the Committee on the Rights of communication with Ordinary Members that it Persons with Disabilities (CRPD Committee) is vital to co-operate and work in co- and Conference of States Parties to the CRPD operation with the whole national disability (COSP). movement in monitoring the implementation of the CRPD. SERVING AS THE INTERNATIONAL EXPERT ORGANISATION ON DEAF PEOPLE’S RIGHTS During the reporting period, the Conference As a result of separate project funding, the of States Parties elected new members for the WFD was able to employ a Human Rights CRPD Committee, both in 2012 and 2014. Officer in March 2013 whose role focused on Despite the efforts of WFD to encourage its advocacy work in Geneva, Switzerland, Ordinary Members to lobby nationally for the where the CRPD Committee holds its bi- inclusion of a deaf expert member who uses annual sessions. To assist the Human Rights sign language as their primary language, the Officer, a Steering Committee, the “WFD CRPD Committee still remains without such a Human Rights Working Group”, was member. Notwithstanding, the WFD has established. regularly met with the CRPD Committee members and provided information in relation Part of the Human Rights Officer’s work has to specific topics that need to be taken into been to monitor the countries whose reports account in fulfilling deaf people’s human are reviewed by the CRPD Committee and rights, such as the importance of deaf contact WFD Ordinary Members in advance, organisations being led by deaf people and in order to provide support in the CRPD ensuring the quality of sign language parallel reporting process. interpretation in all areas of life.
There have been an increasing number of The WFD has actively highlighted the deaf deaf people included in delegations perspective in a number of submissions that it representing various national organisations of has issued: In March 2012, the WFD persons with disabilities (DPO) attending completed a paper to respond to the call for CRPD Committee sessions. They have been 20 43
|ACHIEVING OUR OBJECTIVES
papers on Article 9 of the CRPD (Accessibility) (COSP) during the reporting period: President as well as preparing and submitting WFD’s Allen and Dr Jokinen took part in the 4th COSP comments in 2014 on the draft general in 2011; President Allen, WFDYS President comments in relation to Articles 9 and 12 of Jenny Nilsson, Dr Joseph Murray and WASLI the CRPD (Equal recognition before the law), President Dr Debra Russell in the 5th COSP; which were adopted by the CRPD President Allen, Vice-President, Dr Wilma Committee. The WFD also delivered Newhoudt-Druchen, Honorary President, Dr statements at the opening of the 10th (WFD Markku Jokinen and WFD Youth Section issued a statement on behalf of the Representative, Braam Jordaan represented International Disability Alliance), 11th and 12th the WFD at the 6th COSP in 2013; and finally Mr sessions of the CRPD Committee. Jordaan gave a statement at the panel on Youth with Disabilities during the 7th COSP in The WFD has also been represented in all four 2014. Conference of States Parties to the CRPD WFD’s input into the endeavours of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has been dynamic. In response to an OHCHR enquiry, the WFD sent a submission contributing to the OHCHR thematic study on the right of persons with disabilities to education. Moreover, the WFD provided comment on the International Disability Alliance’s (IDA) submission to the OHCHR on CRPD Article 19 (Living independently and being included in the community).
21 65
|ACHIEVING OUR OBJECTIVES
One of the fundamental issues for deaf document into International Sign together people when meeting hearing people is how with the WHO. well accessibility is taken into consideration. Even within the United Nations, there is a Although the WFD has strongly focused its significant lack of awareness on how to ensure advocacy efforts on the implementation and accessibility in the most appropriate way. monitoring of the CRPD, the organisation has Therefore the WFD has drafted documents, in also directed its efforts to providing input in co-operation with the World Association of relation to other human rights instruments. On Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI), with the occasions, other treaty bodies have purpose of explaining the types of requested submissions from civil society when arrangements an event organiser needs to drafting general comments. When issues take into consideration when booking sign concerned deaf people, the WFD took the language interpreters for high-level events. opportunity to provide input, such as to the Moreover, the WFD has delivered assistance Committee on the Elimination of to the United Nations Office in Geneva in Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The identifying national sign language interpreters Human Rights Officer also shared information for the CRPD Committee sessions; this service is on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) with its provided by the United Nations when an Ordinary Members in countries that were official language of a respective country reviewed, and provided feedback with aligns with one of UN official languages consideration to the deaf perspective to the (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Human Rights Council Task Force on Spanish), and has provided comments on the Accessibility in preparing the “Accessibility quality of sign language interpretation at guide to the Human Rights Council for persons CRPD Committee sessions. As is evident, the with disabilities”. WFD has continuously lobbied for better accessibility for deaf people in terms of qualified and experienced International Sign interpreters at the United Nations events in both Geneva and New York.
Related to accessibility, the WFD has also been working co-operatively with the World Health Organisation (WHO) which launched the “World Report on Disability” in 2012. The WFD produced a summary and translated the 22 |ACHIEVING OUR OBJECTIVES
22 |Number of national 3|WFD wrote 3 submissions to other treaty bodies and deaf associations contacted the OHCHR: prior to the CRPD Committee 1. Submission for the CEDAW Committee on the Draft sessions General Comment on Article 14 (September 2013) 2. Submission for the OHCHR study on the right to education of persons with disabilities (September 2013) 3. Submission for the Commission of Inquiry on Human 7|Number of CRPD Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on the collaboration between the WFD and Korean Committee sessions attended Federation for the Protection of the Disabled by the WFD: 7 out of 8 sessions (in two of these sessions the EUD (September 2013) represented the WFD)
6| WFD issued 6 submissions to the CRPD Committee: 1. Submission on the Draft guidelines on the participation of Disabled Persons Organisations, Civil Society Organisations, National Human Rights Institutions and other stakeholders in the work of the Committee (March 2014) 2. Joint submission with the WASLI on the Draft General Comment No. 2 on Article 9 (February 2014) 3. Submission for concluding observations on Azerbaijan in the 11th session (February 2014) 4. Submission on the Draft General Comment No. 1 on Article 12 (February 2014) 5. Submission for concluding observations on El Salvador in the 10th session (July 2013) 6. Submission for list of issues on Azerbaijan in the 10th session (July 2013)
6| WFD issued 6 statements related to deaf people’s 2| WFD and WASLI human rights: have issued the following 1. WFD Statement on the Adoption and Adaptation of guidelines on interpreting Technologies and Accessibility (October 2014) arrangements: 2. WFD Statement at the opening of the 12th session of the 1. International Sign Fee CRPD Committee (September 2014) Guidelines for UN 3. Seventh Session of the Conference of States Parties to Events (May 2014) the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2. Securing and utilising (CRPD) (June 2014) the Services Of Sign 4. WFD Statement on Standardized Sign Language (May Language Interpreters 2014) for The United Nations 5. WFD Statement at the opening of the 11th Session of the (April 2012) CRPD Committee (March 2014) other stakeholders in the 6. WFD Statement on Sign Language Work (February 2014) session (July 2013)
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WFD participated in 8 meetings of the IDA Board
WFD - ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE with disabilities in Azerbaijan, the Dominican INTERNATIONAL DISABILITY MOVEMENT Republic and Mongolia and represented IDA The WFD works in close collaboration with the in a workshop organised by the International International Disability Alliance (IDA). As one Disability and Development Consortium of its founding members, the WFD ensures that (IDDC). In addition, the WFD has worked the deaf viewpoint receives due closely with the IDA in ensuring that deaf consideration in IDA’s work. In concrete terms, representatives are invited to attend IDA this means commenting on statements workshops targeted to the whole disability addressed to various UN bodies, representing community. the WFD at IDA Board meetings and influencing international development and In recent years, IDA has produced advocacy disability agendas. From time to time, the WFD material and guidance documents in different also represents the IDA in its own right as was languages. As a result, the WFD proposed to done at the opening of the 10th CRPD session IDA that an International Sign translation of in Geneva, when the WFD President delivered the “Guidance Document – Effective Use of an opening statement on behalf of IDA International Human Rights Monitoring member organisations. The United Nations Mechanisms to Protect the Rights of Persons High Level Meeting on Disability and with Disabilities” (2011) also be provided. The Development, organised in September 2013 in translation project was executed by the WFD New York, was a very important event for the and funded by the IDA. disability constituency: It was the first time in UN history that the rights of persons with During the 4th Conference of States Parties in disabilities were discussed within the 2011, a meeting of the Panel of Experts to the framework of the UN political agenda. The Special Rapporteur on Disability was held with WFD was represented at this historical event the WFD President also participating. No by our President, Mr Colin Allen. He was also further meetings were organised during the appointed as the 2nd Vice Chair of the IDA in reporting period. However, the Special July 2013 for a one-year term and then as the Rapporteur Mr Shuaib Chalklen addressed the 1st Vice-Chair from July 2014 until June 2016. audience at the opening of the XVI World Congress of the WFD in Durban, South Africa The WFD Human Rights Officer has facilitated and the WFD representatives have also had IDA workshops on the parallel reporting the opportunity to meet with him on a few process addressed to organisations of persons occasions in the intervening period. 24 12
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WFD wrote 34 letters of support to its members
SUPPORTING WFD ORDINARY MEMBERS Moreover, the WFD Board Members have One of the core tasks that the WFD performs is shared their expertise in many ways when to support its Ordinary Members (national meeting deaf people worldwide. They have deaf associations) in their national advocacy taken part in local activities and increased the work. The process starts when a member grassroots deaf community’s knowledge on makes contact with the WFD and asks for the CRPD and also presented at seminars in assistance in relation to a particular topic: Norway, Reunion, Australia, Russia and China reminding governments and authorities of contemporaneously with the WFD Board their duties to respect and promote the use of meetings. In situations in which the WFD sign language; guaranteeing bi-lingual President, Board Members or experts have not education settings; establishing sign language been able to attend an event, the WFD has interpreting services; providing advice on sign sent a video message as a tangible means of language research; insisting on the providing validation to the organisation which importance of governments consulting has issued the invitation and the event. national associations of the deaf and numerous other issues. Usually a letter of WFD AS A CONDUIT BETWEEN INTERNATIONAL support - or a video message - is provided to ORGANISATIONS AND ORDINARY MEMBERS the member for its perusal and use. Between Thanks to its widespread network of 2011-2014, the WFD issued a total of 34 international organisations and national support letters to its members. associations, the WFD has been able to facilitate information sharing between these Another way of supporting Ordinary members bodies and Ordinary Members. Based on the entails information sharing: WFD has produced results of a WFD survey of Ordinary Members various statements (6) and guidelines (2) that conducted in March 2014, the most relevant are sent to its members for application in their information platforms are the WFD website national advocacy work. and WFD Newsletters. During the reporting period, the WFD has distributed information to Extensive capacity support has been given to its Ordinary Members via these channels and Ordinary Members from El Salvador, Facebook including promoting possibilities to Azerbaijan, Dominican Republic and apply for project funding from the Disability Mongolia as part of the WFD Human Rights Rights Fund, CBM and Abilis Foundation. Project and training in human rights issues has Furthermore, the WFD Human Rights Officer been provided by the WFD Human Rights has distributed project application manuals to Officer. A preparatory mission to Tunisia to project target countries during her trips meet deaf people from the Maghreb region internationally. in May 2014 was also a good opportunity to deliver training to representatives from Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia. 25 12
|ACHIEVING OUR OBJECTIVES GOAL 2: HUMAN RIGHTS TRAINING ACTIVITIES
The WFD Board and the Secretariat have been assiduously working to identify opportunities to conduct human rights training activities.
Within the four-year timeframe (2011-2014), Arab countries fall under the scope of the the WFD Board and the Secretariat have development cooperation project funding. been assiduously working to identify An application for a preparatory mission was opportunities to conduct human rights training written and a grant was received from the activities. The WFD managed to raise its profile Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The aim of not only as an advocacy organisation but the May 2014 preparatory mission, conducted also as a provider of direct support and by WFD Human Rights Officer Ms Eeva Tupi concrete hands-on activities to deaf and the Chair of the Human Rights Group, Dr associations’ leaders, staff members and the Joseph Murray, was to meet with the leaders local deaf communities. This complements the of each of the deaf associations and examine other fields of work in which WFD is engaged. the needs of deaf communities in preparation for the project implementation phase. At the IMPLEMENTING HUMAN RIGHTS TRAINING time of writing, the WFD is awaiting a reply in PROJECTS regard to its grant application for a regional A three-year regional training project with the capacity building project with the purpose of aim of building the capacity of 19 deaf advancing the Human Rights of deaf people associations in Western and Central Africa in Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and (WCAR) was completed in 2012. The project Tunisia. If funding is secured, it is envisaged was conducted in co-operation with the that that the project will strengthen national Swedish Deaf Association (SDR) and funded associations of the deaf and increase by SHIA (Sweden). A tangible result of this society’s awareness on deaf issues and project was the organisation of the inaugural human rights. meeting of the WCAR Regional Secretariat in July 2011. Although the project has now been One of the most significant achievements of finalised and has ceased, from the the period relates to WFD successfully securing perspective of the WFD, it is pleasing that the funding for a project, initially of one year’s WCAR Regional Secretariat has managed to duration, with the aim of ensuring that the secure new project funding and continues in human rights of deaf people are taken into its quest for further empowerment. account in the international human rights agenda through strengthening of the WFD’s Following the completion of the WCAR- global advocacy work towards the United project, the WFD concentrated on identifying Nations (UN) and within the International a new region which it was felt would most Disability Alliance (IDA); as well as benefit from human rights training. Based on strengthening the capacity of national the report “Deaf People and Human Rights” associations of the deaf in Azerbaijan, El (Haualand & Allen, 2009), the Arab region was Salvador and Peru with a focus on CRPD targeted as an area in which the human rights parallel reporting. The WFD was able to situation for deaf people was considered employ a WFD Human Rights Officer who has extremely worrisome. The focus was further been integral to executing the first HRO 1- narrowed to the Maghreb region; as not all project (2013) and then the HRO 2-project 26 43
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Workshops/Seminars organised alongside WFD Board meetings: Norway, USA, Reunion, Australia, Russia and China
(2014). The HRO 2 project concentrated on concert with the WFD Board meetings. The providing training to WFD Ordinary Members in feedback received from the participants has the Dominican Republic and Mongolia and demonstrated that this practice is worth WFD is thrilled to have recently learned that it continuing in the next four-year period (2016- has managed to secure funding for a two- 2019). These workshops or seminars not only year HRO 3-project (2015-2016) to train four benefit the local and/or national deaf other WFD Ordinary Members. community but they are also an ideal forum to exchange information between the WFD In 2014, the WFD Secretariat also set in motion Board and the grassroots deaf community. another regional project initiative, namely a The WFD Board Members have also given capacity building and training project that presentations and taken part in their own aims to advance the legal capacity of deaf country’s events. people in Latin America. This project is presently in the planning phase: the first draft One of the objectives of the Action Plan 2011 of the project plan has been written and – 2015 was to take advantage of the synergy funding is currently being sought for a pre- of holding a WFD Board meeting at the same planning project, in co-operation with time as a WFD Regional Secretariat gathering. Ordinary Member Dominican Republic Unfortunately, this didn’t happen as a result of (ANSORDO), which would ensure standardised logistical issues; however, the WFD President or community assessment and analysis being a Board Member attended Regional prepared by the project target countries. Secretariat executive committee or representatives’ meetings by invitation for Some WFD Regional Secretariats have also most of the regions at least once during the worked on project proposals in order to obtain regional capacity building: Mr Druchen, the Director of DeafSA, has been the focal point for the Regional Secretariat of Eastern and Southern Africa in his role as the Interim Director. The Western and Central African Regional Secretariat have also applied for various smaller grants. The WFD has supported these initiatives upon request.
MEETING DEAF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD In addition to the human rights projects’ activities funded from other than traditional funding sources, WFD Board Members have conducted workshops and seminars in 27 65
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period. The 2nd International Conference of The XVI World Congress of the WFD in 2011 the WFD organised in 2013 in Sydney, gathered more than 2,100 people from 125 Australia, also provided a valuable countries to participate in an exciting opportunity to meet with the directors of Congress program with the theme of “Global regional secretariats to exchange ideas. Deaf Renaissance”. In a similar vein, the WFD celebrated its 60th birthday, with the three The WFD Secretariat, based in Finland, WFD Honorary Presidents present: Dr Yerker received regular visits from individuals and Andersson, Dr Liisa Kauppinen and Dr Markku groups who were presented with information Jokinen. The WFD extends its whole-hearted about the WFD, its work and deaf people’s congratulations and appreciation to both human rights. The Secretariat was especially organisations: The Deaf Federation of South happy to host a deaf delegation from North Africa (DeafSA) and the Deaf Society of New Korea, initiated by Mr Robert Grund, WFD South Wales, for their efforts in hosting these Liaison Officer in Pyongyang, and various two outstanding events. Japanese groups. Likewise, being able to plant even a small seed of a deaf role model to young deaf people enrolled in the Frontrunners training program (Denmark) was considered to have real merit and provided tremendous joy for the WFD Secretariat deaf staff members involved.
CONDUCT OF THE WFD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND WORLD CONGRESS The WFD co-operated extensively with the Deaf Society of New South Wales in organising the 2nd International Conference of the WFD. The WFD Conference, with the theme “Equality for Deaf People”, took place in Sydney, Australia, in October 2013 with approximately 600 participants from 67 different countries attending. The conference comprised a total of 21 presentations complementing the themes of: Equality in Linguistics and Language; Equality in the Community; Advocating for Equality and Equality in Youth and Education. The keynote addresses were presented by Mr Raghav Bir Joshi from Nepal and Ms Rosemary Kayess from Australia. 28 12
|ACHIEVING OUR OBJECTIVES GOAL 3: EXPANDING INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION AND EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS:
The WFD aims to streamline its communications with its members and interested parties by enhancing the capacity of its website and by increasing the use of other communication channels such as YouTube to respond more comprehensively to information requests.
Thanks to advances in technology and the guidance documents produced by the WFD increasingly ubiquitous nature of the Internet, via the website. there are now more ways to keep in touch and provide information to members than In 2011, the WFD President established a were previously available. In addition to email, Twitter account; at this stage, the WFD doesn’t communication channels have evolved to have its own Twitter engagement strategy include video message and Skype. The WFD because it was decided that the focus should has also extended its reach to members and be on providing information via the WFD other interested partners and individuals via Facebook page. To date, the Facebook page regular news posts on Facebook and its has generated more than 47,000 “likes” with website. the most “liking” people coming from the USA, India and Brazil. There has been a tremendous DEVELOPING THE WEBSITE AND growth since August 2011 when there were ENHANCING THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA only a little more than 1,000 people who had The WFD website attracted over 1, 374, 000 liked the WFD Facebook page compared to unique visitors since it was updated in July December 2014 when the number was 41,700. 2011. The high number of visits provides evidence that it is widely consulted and thus it MORE INFORMATION IN INTERNATIONAL is important that the WFD continues to SIGN improve the content, further enhance the The hiring of the Human Rights Officer and the easy-to-use features and accessibility. Despite active input from the WFD President to film best endeavours, the WFD didn’t fully realise its information in International Sign greatly goals in this area because it failed to produce improved the accessibility of the WFD website general information on deaf people’s human particularly for those sign language users who rights on the website due to lack of resources. don’t know English but understand Nevertheless, regular news updates either in International Sign. Many of the news updates English or International Sign were added to are now not only available in English but also the website in addition to new WFD in International Sign. The more extensive use of Statements, Guidelines and Submissions to the Skype and YouTube has diversified the UN. As a result, individuals seeking up-to-date communication channels between the WFD information had their needs met as they were Secretariat and its members and partners with able to access the most recently released 29 43
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the use of sign language greatly increasing SEEKING OUT PARTNERSHIPS FOR SURVEYS during the past four years. AND REPORTS The XVIII WFD General Assembly in July, 2011 The WFD liaised with the International Disability decided that the WFD should evaluate the Alliance and produced a sign language status of deaf education and implement a version of an IDA document entitled: survey on the topic. A further motion from this “Guidance Document – Effective Use of General Assembly was a request from the International Human Rights Monitoring Ordinary Members to examine the life Mechanisms to Protect the Rights of Persons situation and status of deaf people with with Disabilities” (2011). Likewise, the WFD and multiple disabilities. Accordingly, in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) co- the first decision, the WFD drafted an operated in producing a summary in application for a project focusing on deaf International Sign of the World Report on education which also involved contacting a Disability (2012). range of stakeholders including universities, donors and possible partners. Unfortunately NEWSLETTER: KEEPING OUR MEMBERS however, the survey on deaf people with INFORMED multiple disabilities was not able to be Between January 2011 to the end of 2014, the pursued during the period. The efforts WFD revamped the layout of its Newsletter therefore in planning and implementation twice to make it more appealing and easier were focused on one major survey-project for readers to comprehend. The WFD instead of two. Securing a grant for the deaf Newsletter was sent six times a year to all of education project is still a work in progress but WFD’s members fulfilling the goal of regular promising exchanges have occurred with the distribution of the newsletter. Again, the hope that the project will be realised in the limited resources of the WFD Secretariat and future. lack of a media officer hindered further promotional development which potentially could have included written translations from the newsletter into languages other than English, and/or producing parts of the Newsletter in International Sign.
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|ACHIEVING OUR OBJECTIVES GOAL 4: STRENGTHENING THE WFD
In order to fully implement the objectives of this Action Plan, the WFD will continue to seek partners and funding in line with its longstanding goals.
EXPANDING HUMAN RIGHTS WORK The WFD was also able to secure a grant from THROUGH PROJECT GRANTS the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. This non- It should come as no surprise that running an earmarked funding has been essential for the international organisation focused on the effective functioning of the WFD Secretariat human rights of a relatively small minority and is evidence of the effective lobbying community is difficult from a financial directed at the Finnish Ministry for Foreign perspective. While project funding is Affairs and the Finnish Parliament undertaken comparatively easy to acquire, securing long by WFD. term funding to ensure the sustainability and ongoing viability of the Secretariat presents a ORGANISING SMALL SCALE FUNDRAISING considerable challenge. For a short period in EVENTS 2013 and again from August 2014 onwards, The aim of taking advantage of the the WFD has been able to capitalise on its International Week of the Deaf as an fundraising capability. The employment of a opportunity to attract donations and new Development Officer has meant that the members for the WFD, and hence financial organisation has had a dedicated resource stability, was partly realised: In 2012 the WFD who has been able to focus on applying for a organised a campaign on Facebook and in fundraising licence in Finland where the WFD 2014 an effective Individual Member is based. At the time of writing, the WFD has campaign was launched via email and been advised that it has been successful in Facebook to attract new members and securing the permit which will facilitate the encourage lapsed members to re-new their conduct of appeals targeted towards the membership. Moreover, the WFD provided its global deaf and hearing communities with the members with a theme and “food for intention of raising funds. The availability of this thought” on how to advocate for the personnel has meant that the planning and improvement of the human rights of deaf executing of fundraising activities has become people during their International Week of the more structured. Deaf campaigns. The themes between 2011- 2014 were as follows: During the period under review, the WFD successfully applied for grants to conduct a 2011: Accessibility to Information and human rights project (HRO 1 and HRO 2) Communications focusing on CRPD parallel reporting with the 2012: Sign Bilingualism is a Human organisation currently seeking funds to Right! disseminate a Deaf Education Survey. Pre- 2013: Equality for Deaf People planning project in the Maghreb countries in 2014: Strengthening Human Diversity 2014 was also achieved via a project grant. Without these project grants, the WFD would In November 2014, the Development Officer have exerted less influence and been less sent an appeal letter to all WFD Members to successful in its human rights advocacy work participate in year-end fundraising through directed to the United Nations and the the: capacity building of its members. 1) Give-it-up or Match-the-euro campaign 31 43
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2) Fundraising through year end events attended a workshop on CRPD in Stavanger, and/or Norway. The amount raised from registration 3) Via a Donation Gift. As a result of the fees, sales of handicrafts and donations campaign, the WFD received additional amounted to 3,954.23€. In addition to Ms donations of more than 4,000€! Kvitvaer, the WFD President fundraised for the WFD in 2012 when he celebrated his 50th In conjunction with the 2nd WFD Conference in birthday and asked people to donate to the 2013 in Sydney, Australia, a small fundraising WFD instead of giving personal gifts. That campaign took place at the residence of campaign was likewise a major triumph with WFD President Allen and the planning of 5,397.28€ collected. fundraising during at the upcoming XVII World Congress in Istanbul, Turkey commenced in BRINGING IN MORE FINANCIAL PARTNERS 2014. The WFD appealed to its members for additional income in 2011 as a strategy to The National Association of the Deaf (USA) ensure the continued employment of staff organised a fundraising event in Maryland, members into 2012. This was necessary due to USA in April 2012 to support WFD’s work. This the uncertainty associated with the ability to fundraising event raised approximately USD acquire additional government funding. $1,700. WFD Vice President Dr Wilma Fortunately, as noted above, financial support Newhoudt-Druchen was present there at the was forthcoming from the Finnish Parliament in fundraising event leading the discussion and December 2011 that complemented this answering questions from the guests and income generation strategy. Ordinary President Allen joined the event via Skype. The Members from the United Kingdom, Denmark, WFD wishes to thank the NAD Board of Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Directors for its support for a good cause then Finland replied affirmatively to the request and also for their co-operation in organising with their generosity being a tangible an auction during the 51st Biennial National demonstration of the solidarity of the global Association of the Deaf Conference in deaf community. The monies raised were Louisville, USA in July 2012. used in part to subsidise the project targeted to the Western and Central African deaf WFD Board Members are often invited to associations. The WFD would like to thank the events as presenters. Such events are ideal aforementioned OMs for their contributions. opportunities for promoting the work of the WFD and are also used as a platform for The evolution of the membership base - fundraising. One of the most successful such Ordinary membership figures increased from fundraising events was initiated by a WFD 132 to 134 during the period; the number of Board Member Ms Hanne Kvitvaer in October Associate Members grew by 18%; Individual 2014 when the local deaf community 32 65
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members by 42% and the approval of five The WFD Youth Section, WFDYS, have International members also enhanced WFD participated in the WFD Board meetings at finances and enabled more international least once a year and they have also been visibility and concrete results to be achieved. represented in the Human Rights Group, Legal Commission, World Congress Working Group BUILDING ON CO-OPERATION and Media Working Group. WFDYS has The WFD has a wide network of partners with nominated suitable young deaf persons to whom it collaborates on a regular basis. One take part in international events, such as the of these much appreciated and valued Conference of States Parties meeting in New partners is the World Association of Sign York in September 2012 and the “Post-2015 Language Interpreters (WASLI). In 2011-2014, Development Agenda and the UN CRPD in WASLI and the WFD established interim Africa” - conference, organised in Kenya in working groups to work on guidelines covering March 2014. The WFD Board has received the employment of International Sign regular activity reports from the WFDYS and interpreters at the United Nations as well as the Secretariat has taken care of the youth other international events. Co-operation also section finances, as a subsection of the WFD. commenced in relation to an interim accreditation process that will lead to the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf United Nations using formally accredited (ICSD) and the WFD signed a Memorandum International Sign interpreters at their events. of Understanding in 2013 although actual Likewise, both organisations worked together evidence of co-operative activities between on reflecting upon how deaf people’s the two bodies is yet to be realised. The WFD accessibility should be taken into regularly shares information with global consideration in situations of risk such as organisations of persons with disabilities natural disasters. The WFD and WASLI also thanks to its membership of the International prepared a Joint submission on the Draft Disability Alliance. General Comment No. 2 on Article 9 in 2014. Contact between the Presidents of WASLI and The WFD is grateful to its Expert Groups for the WFD has been frequent and they have their work from 2011-2014. Following the also met on various occasions when election of the new WFD Board in July 2011, it presenting to deaf communities. immediately started work on revising the
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expert structure, inviting individuals to become aims and how they have been accomplished WFD Experts and forming groups, as well as have been regularly discussed and evaluated nominating a coordinator for each group. The prior to each Board meeting. A Key Experts work on a voluntary basis and Performance Indicator system was established consequently their level of commitment has to streamline the evaluation process. varied due to competing priorities and the challenges presented by not being able to In the absence of an Executive Director, the meet face to face. Nevertheless, many have President and Team Leader assumed primary been of significant assistance in contributing responsibility for monitoring and reporting of to the work of WFD either by commenting on the mid-term evaluation of WFD’s goals to the statement drafts, representing the WFD in their Board. The fact that the role of employer and fields of expertise or giving guidance on how the legal seat is in Finland required that the to tackle a particular human rights issue. Secretariat take on full responsibility for human The following Expert Groups have been in resources and financial management, such as force in 2011-2014: compiling the annual budget and following it (1) Deaf Education up as well as salary administration, previously (2) Sign Language and Deaf Studies managed by the Finnish Association of the (3) Developing Countries Deaf. The WFD is bound by Finnish law (labour, (4) Human Rights associations’ act and accounting) so it is (5) Accessibility and Technology critical that there is compliance with all (6) Children and Women regulatory requirements. (7) Bioethics (8) Health The Secretariat prepared Board meeting materials and took part in the Board internal Ad Hoc Group working groups. The presence of at least two (1) DeafBlind staff members at each Board meeting (2) Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender ensured that the Secretariat which is (3) CODAs responsible for implementation was fully (4) Senior Citizens updated on Board decisions. The Team Leader was the minute-taker for meetings. OTHER DUTIES PERFORMED BY THE SECRETARIAT The Board and the Secretariat have worked tirelessly to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Action Plan 2011-2015. These 34 12
WFD EXPERT GROUP
WFD EXPERT GROUP – HEALTH appropriate for deaf people. COORDINATOR: Dr Johannes Fellinger (Austria) During this period, The Expert Group on Health MEMBERS: represented WFD in three events across three Dr Michael McKee (USA) countries (Ireland, Austria and Spain) including Dr Andrew Cornes (UK) the following events: Ms Carolyn Stern (USA) The 6th World Congress on Mental Health and WORK OF THE EXPERT GROUP ON HEALTH: Deafness was organised by the European The focus areas of the Expert Group on Health Society on Mental Health and Deafness are based on the global survey conducted (ESMHD) and co-hosted by Queen’s University between 2010 and 2011, with emphasis on Belfast. The congress was held in September three components namely Health Problems, 2014 in Belfast Northern Ireland, and featured Access to Health Care, and Sign Language a specific theme that focused on the Support. 40 national associations of the deaf relationship between human rights and the responded with opinions regarding the burden mental health of deaf people. Using a poster of disease and access to health care. Based presentation, Dr Johannes Fellinger revealed on the results gathered from these the results and action plans from the associations, further steps in health promotion aforementioned WFD global health survey. In were initiated, including the following: addition, Dr Johannes Fellinger was involved in § Pool of Good Practice: Information on presentations on the following topics: health matters, efficient projects and § Keynote Speaker on ‘Addressing the (web-based) services were shared through mental health problems in Primary Health short video clips made by deaf persons. Care. Access to adequate Health Care – a § Deaf Paraprofessionals: One way to basic right of Deaf People’ (together with increase health education and improve Professor Sir David Goldberg). access to health is to empower deaf § Presentation on ‘Family health - What a co- people to serve as health professionals for creative parents-professional workshop the deaf population. This includes can contribute’ expanding their opportunity to enrol in health educational and employment The World Psychiatric Association International institutes. Through attendance at events, Congress in October 2013 was held in Vienna, the Expert Group on Health has taken the Austria. The title of the plenary presentation opportunity to gather contact details and was “Mental Health of Deaf People”. exchange ideas with the intention of initiating training for deaf people to The International Symposium “Diagnosis and become health workers among the deaf treatment in mental health and deafness: The community. needs of facilities for deaf people” was also § Improved Medical Interpreting through organised by ESMHD. It was held in May 2013 Training: Manuals and workshops were in Madrid, Spain. Dr Johannes Fellinger made delivered in the USA to promote best a plenary presentation about “Mental Health practice in regard to video remote of Deaf People - scientific background and interpreting relative to on-site interpreting. best practice”. The aim was to call for improved standards of medical interpreting for Deaf people. § National workgroups as Monitoring Body: Michael Mc Kee is a member of a national working group in the USA, led by Steve Hamerdinger. It was formed as an avenue to address mental health issues and ensure that the overall mental healthcare environment is linguistically and culturally 35 12
|WFD EXPERT GROUP WFD EXPERT GROUP – deaf schools' curriculum with emphasis on sign language in Russia. EDUCATION COORDINATOR: Dr Marianne Rossi Stumpf (Brazil) The call for Bilingual Education was also MEMBERS: actively lobbied for by Anna Komarova at Ms Anna Komarova (Russian Federation) various fora namely the International Mr Lucas Magongwa (South Africa) Conference on Linguistic Rights of the Deaf Professor Marta Vinardell Maristany (Spain) 2014 held in Moscow, as well as the Dr Roslyn Rosen (USA) International Week of the Deaf (IWD) 2014 in Moscow. At the IWD 2014 in September, Anna WORK OF THE EXPERT GROUP ON Komarova presented on Russian Sign EDUCATION Language before an audience of around Bilingual education in sign language(s) and 2000 people. The same month, together with the local written language(s) remains a major Victor Palenny, a booklet on Deafness and priority of the WFD. Members of the Expert deaf people was prepared for parents of deaf Group on Education have played a pivotal children. role in their respective countries through involvement in government-level discussion to SPECIAL THANKS: Thanks to the WFD for propose specific education policies for the enabling our efforts to be recognised by deaf. government officials. Through our capacity as a member of the Expert Group on Education, During the period under review, the we were able to provide consultations and centrepiece of the Expert Group on Education contribute to our respective countries’ deaf was to secure inclusion of bilingual education education policies in a very practical way. in linguistic policies. Accomplishments and Being in this expert group has also enabled us ongoing efforts relating to this included: to contribute and participate in our countries’ • Publication of an official document by the deaf associations and achieve respect within Brazilian Ministry of Education with the the deaf community. inclusion of a new policy for bilingual education. Following this, between WFD EXPERT GROUP – November 2013 and February 2014, Dr TECHNOLOGY & ACCESSIBILITY Marianne Rossi Stumpf actively COORDINATOR: participated in technical meetings with the Dr Phil Harper (Australia) directors of the Special Education Policy MEMBERS: within the Ministry of Education to review Mr Daniel Andrés Ocampo Arias (Colombia) the Brazilian Linguistic Policy and of Mr Masayuki Inoue (Japan) Dr Benjamin Soukup (USA) ProLibras (Proficiency in Brazilian Sign Dr Christian Vogler (USA) Language). Mr Bruno Druchen (South Africa) • The South African Sign Language Mr Filip - Andre Cornelius Vestraete (Belgium) Curriculum (SASL), of which Lucas Mr Beat Kleeb (Switzerland) Magonwa is a member of the WORK OF THE EXPERT GROUP ON Management Team, will be introduced in TECHNOLOGY AND ACCESSIBILITY schools for the deaf in 2015. A core function of the Expert Group on • Dr Roz Rosen is involved in a national effort Technology & Accessibility is to advocate and to get legislation passed to ensure that promote technological accessibility for the deaf babies are able to enter deaf community. The main aim is to ensure kindergarten. that deaf persons can participate equally in • As a member of the working group of the the information society. Advances in National Association of the Deaf and the Information and Communications Technology Ministry of Education, Anna Komarova (ICT) have increased interaction opportunities for the deaf community. At the same time, it is advocates for changes in the national
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important to realise that new technologies do (IFHOH), in which it was involved in the Task not only create new opportunities, but also Force of IFHOH’s event Speech-to-Texting can lead to barriers. Thus, it is also the main /Captioning. responsibility of the Expert Group on Technology and Accessibility to constantly Furthermore, in 2014, extensive assistance was monitor what is eventuating in this space by given to develop a detailed working keeping abreast of trends and emerging document on the Adoption and Adaptation technologies. on Accessibility and Technology. The document includes reference to ground rules The vision of the Expert group on Technology in relation to technology development, & Accessibility is that by 2020, provided CRPD service provision and accessibility, and more obligations are implemented by government importantly comprises a table that highlights and service providers across the world, deaf relevant CRPD articles with corresponding people will increasingly experience examples of accessible ICTs for deaf people. significantly improved and barrier-free access to communications, benefit from accessible A Memorandum of Agreement was signed information and fuller interaction with society between the IFHOH and the World Federation through the acceptance of universal design of the Deaf on October 18th, 2013 in Sydney, within emergent information technologies. This Australia. This agreement marks a new vision, however, can become a reality only if milestone in the cooperation of the two deaf people are given the opportunity to organisations. The Agreement covers collaborate and participate actively in Terminology, Areas of Co-operation (e.g. ensuring that technologies are accessible and captioning), Consultation and Exchange of that they effectively meet the needs of deaf Information, and Representation. people. During this period, the Expert Group on WFD EXPERT GROUP – CHILDREN Technology & Accessibility provided support & WOMEN to the WFD through publication of three COORDINATOR: newsletter articles, response to ongoing Dr Donalda Ammons (USA) enquiries from members, as well as MEMBERS: attendance at five major international Professor Martha Lucia Osorno Posada conferences. It is at the following fora that the (Colombia) Expert Group on Technology and Accessibility Ms Susan Kagwiria Kirima (Kenya) promoted the work of the WFD and addressed Ms Lucy Erima Upah (Nigeria) access issues: Ms Barbara Earth (USA)
• Belgium Conference on Accessibility
(Antwerp, Belgium, September 2012) WORK OF THE EXPERT GROUP ON WOMEN • Google Accessibility Summit (San Francisco AND CHILDREN § USA, August 2013) Promoted the inclusion of women with disabilities • Accessible Americas Conference (Sao § Facilitated greater access to disability Paulo, Brazil, October 2014) data in relation to women and children in • DAISY India Forum (New Delhi, India, the U.S November 2014) • Bilisim Conference (Ankara, Turkey, In January 2013, established Women Sport November 2014) International for deaf and hard and hearing girls and women. The purpose of this task force Such involvement has helped WFD to gain is to determine and assess the needs of deaf symbolic relationships with the International and hard of hearing girls and women in sport Telecommunication Union (ITU), The Global and advocate on their behalf. Following Initiative for Inclusive ICTs (G3ICT), and Women Sport International's mission, we seek Google. The Expert Group on Technology and "to encourage increased opportunities and Accessibility’s cooperatives extend to other positive changes" for deaf and hard of agencies including the International Federation of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 37 21
|WFD EXPERT GROUP
hearing females at all involvement of sport. • Provided comments on the WHO draft Donalda Ammons is the co-chair of the disability action plan Taskforce. • Assisted with a statement on standardisation of sign languages ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Provided comments regarding a new Sign 1. Promoted inclusion opportunities for Language Act in Sri Lanka women with disabilities in Myanmar with a well-attended women’s conference in WFD EXPERT GROUP – SIGN which 34 interpreters were present. 2. Greater access to disability data that LANGUAGE & DEAF STUDIES includes a chartbook with 7 sections on COORDINATOR: women & children and disabilities in the Mr Robert Adam (Australia) MEMBERS: U.S. Mr Sam Lutalo-Kiingi (Uganda) 3. The Office of the High Commissioner for Dr Verena Krausneker (Austria) Human Rights reviewed the UN´s Dr Myriam Maria J.J. Vermeerbergen (Belgium) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms Ms Melissa Draganac-Hawk (USA) of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) Ms Tatiana Davidenko (Russian Federation) and considered including a section on Mrs Maria Luz Esteban Saiz (Spain) women´s and girls´ access to physical Professor Ulrike Zeshan (UK) activity and sport. 4. Establishment of the Task Force on deaf WORK OF THE EXPERT GROUP ON SIGN and hard of hearing girls and women in LANGUAGE AND DEAF STUDIES sport by Women Sport International The main responsibility of the Expert Group on 5. Assistance with the drafting of a WFD Sign Language and Deaf Studies is to serve as position paper on Cochlear Implants for an advisory body on matters relating to Deaf children Culture, Sign language, Sign Language Work, Interpreting, and International Sign. In tandem SPECIAL THANKS: Gratitude is extended to Ms with the primary component of WFD’s vision, Jenny Nilsson and Ms Kaisa Alanne for their the expert group has provided support to the continued interest in this group’s work WFD including the following: • Letter to OMs on International Day of Sign WFD EXPERT GROUP – HUMAN Languages (2012) RIGHTS • Response for interview with The Economist (2013) COORDINATOR: Mr Alastair McEwin (Australia) • Text for the WFD website about Sign MEMBERS: language, Deaf culture, Deaf education, Mrs Maartje De Meulder (Belgium) Interpreting, and International Sign Mr Wilmar Germán Parra Gallego (Colombia) Mr Hiroshi Tamon (Japan) In addition, the Expert Group on Sign Dr Filipe Venade de Sousa (Portugal) Language and Deaf Studies also represented Ms Alexis Kashar (USA) WFD in the following events: Dr Humberto Insolera (Italy) • Sign 5 conference, Ankara, Turkey, 21-23 October 2011 WORK OF THE EXPERT GROUP ON HUMAN • 2nd International Conference on Linguistic RIGHTS Rights of the Deaf, organised by the All- The aim of the Expert Group on Human Rights Russian Society for the Deaf, 22nd May 2014 is to provide advice on matters relating to the in Moscow, Russian Federation. Dr Robert human rights of deaf people in various areas. In line with WFD’s mission, the Expert Group on Adam attended the event and launched Human Rights has played a significant role in a statement on the Standardisation of Sign developing WFD’s publications including Languages prepared by the expert group. statements, policies, submissions to the UN • The 4th International Conference on and other resources. Disability and Rehabilitation held in Riyadh, • Advice to WFD on their draft cochlear policy 38 2
|WFD EXPERT GROUP
Saudi Arabia from 19 to 21 October 2014. Dr Robert Adam presented a paper on Language planning and standardisation in the Deaf community: what are the human rights implications?
SPECIAL THANKS: I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to the members of the Expert Group for their diligent and enthusiastic participation. This group represents skills and knowledge from across the world, although in the long term it would always be good to have more representation from experts in regions that are not currently represented in this Expert Group.
I have always been grateful for the experience, knowledge and wisdom that members of this group have given when dealing with WFD work. Requests to the Expert Group for information or advice from the WFD President or the WFD Office were always dealt with promptly by individual members.
Finally, I would also like to thank the WFD President, the WFD Board and the WFD Office for their trust in us and continued co- operation. I look forward to the continuance of the work done by the Expert Group on Sign Language and Deaf Studies.
The WFD also has expert groups on Bioethics, Developing Countries, LGBT, Deafblind, CODAs and Senior citizens.
39 REGIONAL SECRETARIATS’ (RS) REPORTS
WFD REGIONAL SECRETARIAT IN ASIA – RSA REGIONAL DIRECTOR Mr Ichiro Miyamoto HEADQUARTERS Tokyo, Japan MEMBER COUNTRIES 1. Afghanistan 7. Iran 13. Pakistan 2. Bangladesh 8. Japan 14. Philippines 3. China 9. Rep. of Korea 15. Singapore 4. Hong Kong 10. Mongolia 16. Sri Lanka 5. Indonesia 11. Macau 17. Thailand 6. India 12. Malaysia 18. Nepal REGIONAL 2011 Durban, South Africa 12 countries SECRETARIAT 2012 Hong Kong, China 14 countries MEETINGS 2013 Sydney, Australia 9 countries 2014 Macau, China 14 countries WORK OF RSA Since 2011, RSA has actively involved itself in numerous Asia-Pacific developments through consultation, conferences, training and workshops, meetings, and surveys with other civil societies (CSOs), organisations of persons with disabilities (DPOs), intergovernmental organisations, UN systems, and the regional deaf community. For instance, WFD-RSA has played a significant role in the conclusion of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012, and the implementation of the Incheon strategy for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2012- 2022.
To keep up with developments within the region, WFD-RSA has also organised Deaf Dialogue, with the RSA Director as the chairperson, with the aim of providing a platform for deaf leaders in Asia to interact and engage in meaningful dialogue based on a central theme – ‘Building a Better Asia’ for Asian deaf communities.
The RSA has kept abreast of Disaster Risk Reduction matters through involvement in the Asia-Pacific Meeting on Disability-inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction, and the 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction.
For this period, the RSA has represented WFD in 16 events across 8 countries in the Asia-Pacific Region, including 2014 Asian Pacific Disability Forum Conference and the 1st ESCAP- Sasakawa Award for Disability-Inclusive Business in Asia and the Pacific.
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|REGIONAL SECRETARIATS’ (RS) REPORTS INTERIM REGIONAL SECRETARIAT IN THE ARAB REGION - RSAR REGIONAL DIRECTOR Ms Hend Al-Showaier HEADQUARTERS Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia MEMBER COUNTRIES 1. Algeria 6. Morocco 2. Iran 7. Qatar 3. Lebanon 8. Somalia 4. Libya 9. Sudan 5. Mauritania 10. Syria 11. Tunisia
WORK OF RSAR November 24 – 26, 2014, to discuss regional 16. Ms Hend Al-Showaier was appointed as the priorities of providing inclusive education for new Regional Director for RSAR, replacing Dr learners who are deaf or deafblind. WFD-RSAR Ghassan Shahrour, to whom WFD and RSAR presented on “Addressing Education and are indebted for his many years of Opportunities in Inclusive Environments”. The commitment as past Director. The member main aim was to deliberate on possibilities with associations of the RSAR will meet during the an opportunity to develop a comprehensive XVII World Congress of the WFD in Istanbul, strategy in order to enhance practices in the Turkey, to confirm their 2016-2019 work-plan Eastern Mediterranean region. for the Arab region. During this reporting period, the RSAR has represented WFD in four SPECIAL THANKS: WFD-RSAR would like to events across four countries in the Arab acknowledge support from Ms Bedour Al- Region, including the following events: Reqbani, Founder and CEO of Kalimati Speech and Communication Center, for her The 2nd International Conference: Hear My enthusiasm and hard work to improve the lives Voice – Empowering Deaf People was of deaf people in UAE and the Arab Countries. organised by the Kalimati Speech & Special thanks also to CBM Regional Office Communication Center and in collaboration Eastern Mediterranean Region Team, WFD with the UAE Deaf Association. It was held in and WASLI. Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 16 to 17 April 2014, and was held under the patronage and in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development. The conference aimed to promote Emirati Sign Language and raise awareness about overcoming prejudice against any type of disability including deafness.
‘The Reality and Challenges facing the Deaf Community in the Arab World: Gaza as a Model’ was organized by Aljazeera TV Network, in partnership with Qatar Charity in conjunction with International Week of the Deaf 2014. The forum raised awareness on the difficulties and challenges that deaf people encounter in the Arab world. It showcased interesting projects and future initiatives aimed at the deaf community in the Arab World, especially those in Gaza struggling to cope in the aftermath of the recent war.
Workshop on Inclusive Education was organized by CBM in Amman, Jordan from 41 |REGIONAL SECRETARIATS’ (RS) REPORTS REGIONAL SECRETARIAT IN OCEANIA - RSO REGIONAL DIRECTOR Mr Lachlan Keating HEADQUARTERS Auckland, New Zealand MEMBER COUNTRIES Ordinary Members Associate Members 1. Australia Solomon Islands 2. Fiji Samoa Deaf Club 3. New Zealand WASLI Oceania
REGIONAL 2013 Sydney, Australia 3 countries, 6 participants SECRETARIAT 2014 Suva, Fiji 3 countries, 3 participants MEETINGS
WORK OF RSO The successful establishment of RSO saw many great achievements in the region. The 2014 National Disability Award, a gala event held at the Parliament House in Canberra, resulted in a great outcome for the Australian Deaf community. The awards were monopolised by deafness with a deaf person, Jordanna Smith, winning the Emerging Leaders award in Disability, and two organisations that provide Deaf-accessible information services namely VicDeaf and Emergency Management Services Victoria. The same year also Jordanna Smith witnessed the first Fiji Sign Language Week carried out by the Fiji Association of the Deaf, which aimed to create awareness about sign language and to highlight its importance to stakeholders, the Government of Fiji and the public at large. The RSO was also instrumental in the establishment of Solomon Islands Deaf Association as a legal entity.
SPECIAL THANKS: § Venasio Tamainai § Tuliana Waibuta § Kim Robinson § Phillip Waters VicDeaf and Emergency § Hemi Hema, Management Services Victoria § Rachel Noble § Gael Seru
Fijian Sign Language Week 2014 42 12
|REGIONAL SECRETARIATS’ (RS) REPORTS EASTERN EUROPE AND MIDDLE ASIA REGIONAL SECRETARIAT - EEMARS REGIONAL DIRECTOR Dr Valery Rukhledev HEADQUARTERS Moscow, Russian Federation MEMBER COUNTRIES 1. Armenia 6. Moldova 2. Azerbaijan 7. Russian Federation 3. Belarus 8. Tajikistan 4. Georgia 9. Ukraine 5. Kazakhstan 10. Uzbekistan
REGIONAL SECRETARIAT MEETINGS 2011 Moscow, Russia Election of Director and Secretary 2012 Yerevan, Armenia 75th Anniversary of OM Armenia
WORK OF EEMARS EEMARS has been involved at the 19th and WFD-EEMARS has played an important role in 22nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council. strengthening collaborative relationships with In 2012, All-Russian Society of the Deaf regional members. The last four years representatives participated in a thematic represented a season of celebration for discussion concerning the rights of Persons several of its member countries. WFD-EEMARS with Disabilities at the 19th Session of UN commemorated Belarus 70th Anniversary Human Rights Council. Following that, Dr (2011), All-Russian Society of the Deaf 85th Valery Rukhledev also presented information Anniversary (2011), Kazakhstan 75th in an interactive debate on the work and Anniversary (2012), and Ukraine 80th employment of Persons with Disabilities at the Anniversary (2013). The existence of long 22nd Session UN Human Rights Council in 2013. established national deaf organisations is important for the continued pursuit of human The EEMARS has also provided support to rights for deaf individuals in the region. Armenia for the preparation of a book titled ‘History of the Armenian Deaf Society’. During this period, representative from EEMARS participated in the following regional events: • 24th Extraordinary Congress of All-Russian Society of the Deaf (2011) • 18th Congress of Ukrainian Society of the Deaf (2011) • 6th All-Ukrainian Open Competition Games of Patriots of Ukrainian Deaf Society (2013) • VI International Festival-Contest of Sign Songs "Constellation (2013) • 2nd International Conference “Linguistic Rights of the Deaf” (2014)
43 |REGIONAL SECRETARIATS’ (RS) REPORTS WFD WESTERN AND CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL SECRETARIAT – WCARS REGIONAL DIRECTOR Mr Lamin M. Ceesay HEADQUARTERS Banjul, Gambia MEMBER COUNTRIES 1. Benin 7. Cote d'Ivoire 13. Niger 2. Burkina Faso 8. Gambia 14. Nigeria 3. Cameroon 9. Ghana 15. Senegal 4. Chad 10. Guinea 16. Sierra Leone 5. Dem Rep of 11. Liberia 17. Togo Congo 12. Mali
6. Republic of Congo
REGIONAL SECRETARIAT 2012 Cameroon MEETINGS 2014 Ivory Coast
WORK OF WCARS The establishment of WCARS in July 2011 was followed by the successful legal registration of its office in Gambia. Since then, the WCARS has been active in mobilizing its member countries through survey (to collect information and draft an activity plan of the national associations of the deaf in the region), Board meetings and training, advocacy and networking with stakeholders, and participation at conferences. Such activities reflect WCARS’ priorities of ensuring that the region has access to capacity building, organizational development, and collaborating and interacting with national associations of deaf on the human rights of deaf people. Beyond the region, in 2013, a representative of WCARS had the chance to attend the 1st International Deaf Muslim Forum, organised by the Qatari Center of Social Cultural for Deaf. The three-day forum was held in Qatar, in co-operation with the Global Deaf Muslim, and shed light on various issues related to deaf people.
SPECIAL THANKS: WCARS would like to extend its thanks to friends, supporters, stakeholders as well as the following organisations: WFD, SDR, SHIA for establishment of WCARS
Danish Deaf Organisation and Disabled People Organisation of Denmark for supporting project planning.
Abilis Foundation (Finland) for their generous sponsorship for WCARS Board.
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|REGIONAL CO-OPERATING PARTNER REPORT EUROPEAN UNION OF THE DEAF - EUD REGIONAL DIRECTOR Mr Mark Wheatley HEADQUARTERS Brussels, Belgium MEMBER COUNTRIES 1. Austria 13. Hungary 26. Slovak Republic 2. Belgium 14. Iceland 27. Slovenia 3. Bulgaria 15. Ireland 28. Spain 4. Croatia 16. Italy 29. Sweden 5. Cyprus 17. Latvia 30. Switzerland 6. Czech Republic 18. Lithuania 31. United Kingdom 7. Denmark 19. Luxembourg 8. Estonia 20. Malta Affiliated Members 9. Finland 21. The Netherlands Bosnia and 10. France 22. Norway Herzegovina 11. Germany 23. Poland Israel 12. Greece 24. Portugal Macedonia 25. Romania Serbia Turkey REGIONAL SECRETARIAT 2011 Budapest, Hungary MEETINGS 2012 Copenhagen, Denmark 2013 Dublin, Ireland 2014 Athens, Greece COOPERATION Over the last four years, the EUD has had two § Cooperation Agreement signed with the successful campaigns namely Written WFD in 2012 Declaration 112 on accessible emergency § International Disability Alliance (IDA) services, and EUD Election Manifesto. ‘Written § CRPD Committee and the UN Human Declaration 112’ outlines the Rules of Rights Office of the High Commissioner for Procedure on the need for accessible 112 Human Rights (OHCHR) emergency services. Through this campaign, § European Parliament’s Disability Intergroup EUD managed to break a record by having and the European Commission’s unit for 483 signatures, and managed to network and Persons with Disabilities. secure the interest of several Members of the § European Platform of Deafness, Hard of 2009-2014 European Parliament. Hearing, and Deafblindness (EPDHDB). The purpose of the EPHDB is to exchange Prior to the European Parliament election in knowledge, experience and good May 2014, the EUD advocated for an practice of shared interest in regard to EU accessible election through the ‘EUD Election policy related to human rights, disability Manifesto’. The campaign calls for the policy and also the implementation of the Members of the European Parliament to UNCRPD. Other partners of the EPDHDB ensure that deaf sign language users are able include the European Cochlear Implant to make informed decision and subsequently Users (EURO-CIU), European Deafblind take part in the full political process within Network (EDbN), European Federation of Europe. For this campaign, the EUD managed Hard of Hearing (EFHOH), European to secure close to 100 signatures of the Federation of Parents of Hearing Impaired Members of European Parliament. Children (FEPEDA), European Union of the Deaf Youth (EUDY).
WORK OF EUD Since 2011, the staff strength of EUD has expanded to support the increase in its members. As the only supranational organisation, EUD has 28 EU Member States, representing over 1 million deaf sign language users at the European Union level. 45 12
|REGIONAL CO-OPERATING PARTNER REPORT
The EUD is also a full member of the European how to support European Institutions like the Disability Forum (EDF), and through this European Union, the European Commission, capacity, it provide replies and consultations. and the European Court of Human Rights to In 2014, through the EDF, EUD actively communicate with deaf and hard of hearing contributed in the writing of the EU parallel European citizens. The Insign Project aims to report of the UNCRPD. Further to this, the EUD provide callers with a number of ways to initiated a UNCRPD survey in 2011 and 2012 contact each other such as through a sign that was targeted to National Associations of language interpreting service and/or the Deaf (NADs), deaf individuals from all EUD captioning service, with availability of member countries, and European-level different language options. The project strives organisations and deaf individuals with to empower, promote and build equal European-wide experience. The aim of the communication. Two demonstrations have survey was to gather information about the taken place in April and September 2014 at relevant areas of the UNCRPD, and analyse the European Commission and the European the implementation at EU level. Responses Parliament. The platform has been available received were collated into a ‘EUD 2013 to the public since December 2014. UNCRPD Report’. The aim of the report is to call for its members to have a realistic overview of the implementation of the UNCRPD in its respective countries, and use the report as a tool to further advocate for desired effects in practice.
Following the release of the report, the EUD has also launched the UNCRPD Publication series, with two published themes namely ‘Article 27: Work and Employment’, and ‘Article 29: Participation in Political and Public Life’. Each contribution in the series will explore a specific UNCRPD article, from both an academic and best practice perspective, at all levels, from European to regional. These series aim to contribute to, and provide There are also WFD regional secretariats for possible interpretations of the implementation South America, Mexico, Central America and of the UNCRPD. the Caribbean, and Eastern and Southern Africa. Reports from these secretariats have The EUD reached another milestone with the not been received. ‘Insign Project’, a pilot project that looks at 46 12
WFD FINANCES
In 2011, the WFD received financial support of almost 63,000€ from the Finnish Association of the Deaf (FAD) however this was reduced to 30,000€ in 2013 and 2014 (total contribution in 2011-2014 was 163,100.37€). WFD has been very fortunate to be subsidised by FAD since 1987 when Dr Liisa Kauppinen became General Secretary and from both a financial and moral perspective, this support has been invaluable. The WFD remains grateful to FAD for their ongoing support.
The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has also as an expense within the WFD accounts. granted 50,000€ per year to the WFD on an Under the terms of the current contract ongoing basis. Despite this much needed between WFD and FAD, the office rent is now support, although the WFD is based and directly paid by FAD and is no longer registered in Finland, its international status has reflected in the WFD accounts, significantly meant that difficulties have been reducing the office costs line item within the experienced in attracting base funding from WFD budget. The World Congress conducted the country in which it is situated. in 2011 also meant that additional phone and copying costs were incurred in that year The income received from membership fees which didn’t occur in subsequent years. has varied from 47,000€ to 72,000€ during the period. Whilst many deaf associations appear Throughout the period under review, the willing to pay their annual membership fees, organisation has been managed in a their financial position often hinders them financially responsible manner: the relatively doing so. large deficit in 2011 of (52,412.46€) occurred mainly as a result of the write off of debts In addition to the significant variance incurred by the 2007 World Congress, however experienced in relation to membership fees in 2012, the first WFD “owned” budget was in secured, donations have also varied surplus. The overall surplus for the period 2011- considerably between years (6,000€ in 2013 2014 was 40,139.37€ which will provide compared to 21,000€ in 2012). Project grants reserves upon which the organisation can however are the area in which the most draw in the future if necessary. extreme difference has been experienced. This is exemplified by the WCAR-project being The WFD has two funds managed from within operational in both 2011 and 2012 but the the US: the “Yerker Andersson” and the “WFD HRO 1 and HRO 2 only being implemented in Endowment” Fund. The WFD Endowment Fund 2013 and 2014. Co-organising of the XVII also incorporates a smaller fund, the “Donalda World Congress of the World Federation of the Ammons Leadership Fund” which represents Deaf and the 2nd International Conference of 9,59% of the capital of its mother fund. The the World Federation of the Deaf generated WFD Board has recently begun investigating substantial income in early 2012 and 2014. the potential of utilising the funds’ capital in the near future however the organisation is As may be expected, staff members’ salaries mindful that the “Yerker Andersson” Fund has account for the greatest item of budgetary terms of reference which don’t permit that expenditure. The HRO 1 and HRO 2 project possibility until the capital has reached a grants made possible the hiring of a fourth specific benchmark. A policy designed to staff member which increased personnel costs guide the use of funds of the WFD Endowment in 2013 and 2014. Following the receipt of HRO Fund is currently being drafted. project income, expenses were attributed to the project in 2013 and continued in 2014. Information and Communication costs were higher in 2011 because of the redesign of the website and the production of a DVD. Until 2011, rent was included as part of office costs 47 |WFD Finances
48 |WFD Finances
49 |WFD Finances Income 2011 – 2014
350,000.00
300,000.00
250,000.00
200,000.00
150,000.00 Amount in Euro 100,000.00
50,000.00
0.00 2011 2012 2013 2014 Project Income 120,686.29 20,835.05 60,011.46 78,776.81 Basic Funding 193,079.57 181,074.54 132,851.75 169,602.04 WFDYS 59.25 419.00 3,241.09 923.05 Others 7,010.07 31,704.03 4,294.72 8,640.56
Income 2011 – 2014 (Breakdown)
Basic Funding
250,000.00
200,000.00
150,000.00
100,000.00 Amount in Euro
50,000.00
0.00 2011 2012 2013 2014 Membership Fees 61,680.00 70,364.98 46,770.81 72,316.25 Finnish Deaf Association 62,935.32 40,165.05 30,000.00 30,000.00 Donations 18,464.25 20,544.51 6,080.94 17,285.79 Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs 50,000.00 50,000.00 50,000.00 50,000.00
50 |WFD Finances Income 2011 – 2014 (Breakdown)
Project Income
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
Amount in Euro 40,000
20,000
0 2011 2012 2013 2014 WCAR project 120,686.29 20,835.05 0 0 Maghreb region preplanning project Finnish MFA 0 0 0 2,419.10 HRO 2 project funding 0 0 0 59,969.72 HRO project funding 0 0 60,011.46 16,387.99
Membership Fees 2011 - 2014
80,000.00
70,000.00
60,000.00
50,000.00
40,000.00
30,000.00 Amount in Euro
20,000.00
10,000.00
0.00 2011 2012 2013 2014 Membership fees (AM & IM) previous years 1,550.00 0 1,000.00 1,695.05 Individual Members (IM) 4,530.00 7,623.68 6,680.00 8,131.55 International Members (INTM) 0 0 0 500.00 Associate Members (AM) 5,800.00 3,891.30 5,502.14 5,200.00 Ordinary Members (OM) 49,800.00 58,850.00 33,588.67 56,789.65
51 |WFD Finances Donations 2011 - 2014
25,000.00
20,000.00
15,000.00
10,000.00 Amount in Euro
5,000.00
0.00 2011 2012 2013 2014 Dona ons earmarked 2,000.00 0 0 1,834.21 Dona ons individuals 4,241.22 7,499.29 323.44 3,118.74 Dona ons associa ons 12,223.03 13,045.22 5,757.50 12,332.84
Expenses 2011 – 2014 (Breakdown)
400,000.00
350,000.00
300,000.00
250,000.00
200,000.00
150,000.00 Amount in Euro 100,000.00
50,000.00
0.00 2011 2012 2013 2014 Projects 115,406.29 19,408.05 27,049.37 47,071.53 WFDYS 1,858.03 242.08 1,364.55 978.71 Others 76,314.84 7,742.58 11,866.10 8,292.77 Office Costs 32,903.48 7,264.19 6,048.32 7,499.80 Infomation and Communication 16,587.23 2,174.55 2,357.92 4,290.98 Staff Travel Expenses 11,516.33 6,236.02 11,537.34 6,731.04 Personnel 118,661.44 113,047.01 149,002.79 159,616.57
52 GRATITUDE > €5,000 Finnish Association of the Deaf (Finland)
€500 - €4,999 1. British Deaf Association 11. Kasper Bergman (Denmark) 2. Danske Doves Landsforbund (Denmark) 12. Knud Sondergaard (Denmark) 3. David Wolfe (USA) 13. Norges Döveforbund (Norway) 4. Deaf Queer Men Only (Sweden) 14. Norges Döveforbund - Stavanger (Norway) 5. Deaf View 3 Committee (New Zealand) 15. Oslo Døvforening (Norway) 6. Dovefonden (Denmark) 16. Pierre J. Honore (Denmark) 7. Fédération Suisse des Sourds (Switzerland) 17. Roland Hermann (Switzerland) 8. German Deaf Association 18. Sign Language Interpreters Association of 9. Interfonden (Denmark) New Zealand (SLIANZ) 10. Jonas Carlsson & Anna Hein (Sweden) 19. Swedish National Association of the Deaf 20. Viparo (Finland)
We would also like to offer our sincere gratitude to the 101 donors who have contributed amounts from €1 to €499.
Services in Kind 1. Alastair Mc Ewin (Australia) 11. Nancy J. Bloch (USA) 2. Anja Hurtamo (Finland) 12. Noel King (USA) 3. Dr Liisa Kauppinen (Finland) 13. Noppawan Thamsiriboon (Thailand) 4. Helga Mc Gilp (UK) 14. Rebecca Ladd (Australia) 5. Hyo-Min Kim (Korea) 15. Robert Adam (Australia) 6. Julia Allen (Australia) 16. Satu Worseck (Finland/Germany) 7. June Stathis (Australia) 17. Sheena Walters (Australia) 8. Knud Søndergaard (Denmark) 18. Susannah Macready (Australia) 9. Makiko Yamamoto (Japan) 19. Tony Clews (Australia) 10. Michelle Maguire (Australia)
Hosts for Board Meetings The WFD Board wishes to acknowledge the support from our Board Members’ country National Associations of the Deaf for their continuous support (sponsorship, venue, host) that have contributed to the success of WFD Board Meetings. Special thanks to the following WFD Ordinary and Associate Members: 1. Asociación Nacional de Sordos de Costa 6. Association of the Deaf People of the Rica Reunion Island, Reunion Island 2. Deaf Federation of South Africa, South 7. The Deaf Society of New South Wales, Africa Australia 3. Ål Folkehoyskole and Norwegian 8. All-Russian Society of the Deaf, Russian Association of the Deaf, Norway Federation 4. National Association of the Deaf, USA 9. China Association of the Deaf, China 5. Swiss Deaf Association, Switzerland
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FUTURE DIRECTIONS
THE LESSONS OF YESTERDAY WILL CRPD Committee • Participating in international cross-disability INFLUENCE THE WORK OF organisations, forums, and events TOMORROW… • Expansion in the number of national sign languages recognised by national Over the next four years (2016-2019), the key governments result areas identified in the WFD Action Plan • Conduct of a successful 3rd International upon which the organisation plans to focus Conference of the World Federation of the are as follows: Deaf • Convening the XVIII World Congress of the • Support for Ordinary Members and World Federation of the Deaf Regional Secretariats of the WFD • Establishing a new fund in honour of Dr • International Advocacy Work in the United Liisa Kauppinen Nations (UN), its Special Agencies and in • Securing ongoing financial support for the the International Disability Alliance (IDA) WFD Secretariat Team • Production and sharing of accessible • Increasing the number of WFD Secretariat information Staff • Administration, Co-ordination and Management And finally but very significantly, continuation • Fundraising of the work and strengthening of the relationship between the WFD Board and It is envisaged that the above priorities will be WFDYS Board by implementing the Action accomplished through: Plan to enhance the visibility of both organisations with regard to Deaf youth and • Effective communication between more widely the Deaf Community. Ordinary Members and WFD • Expanding the number of training THE FUTURE FOR WFD LOOKS programs targeted at the Deaf PROMISING AND WE FEEL IT IS IN Community • Implementation of a Global Education CAPABLE HANDS… Survey • Appointment of at least one deaf person Colin Allen who uses sign language as member on the WFD President 54 WORLD FEDERATION OF THE DEAF | 2011 – 2014 REPORT Human Rights Through Sign Languages
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